Using Thai Social Security Health Insurance at a Different Hospital

[leddie]

As per title, for local social security health insurance which is registered to one government hospital.

Is it possible to use this insurance at a different hospital than the one named on the card.

For instance, if card indicates Hospital A and emergency treatment is at Hospital B, how can it be used?

Was recently told at a hospital B, cannot use here and must pay cash, but my understanding is it can be used.

How to collect back the money paid?

 

[JAS21]

The only way that you can get free/reduced treatment at Hospital B is when Hospital A refers you there first... 

 

So no you cannot claim any money back ...

[Sheryl]

Above is correct except in the case of a life and death emergency where it is impossible to transfer you to the hospital where you are registered without risk to your life. In that case, whatever hospital you went to is legally obligated to treat you for up to 72 hours (or until you are stable enough for transfer, whichever comes first) and accept reimbursement from SS for doing so. In practice this law is widely ignored and unenforced. Possibly if you (or your relative) held firm and made clear you knew the law and refused to pay, it might work, but in emergency situations people are usually nto able to do this. A phone call to SS at the time (before handing over any money!) would likely help. Not that this applies only to truly life and death situations where you are so unstable that transport is impossible.

 

Once you've paid a private hospital you are not going to get that money back.

 

If you are not happy with the hospital you are registered at, you can change hospitals (there are certain times of the year for doing so, I think twice a year). Ask your local SS office for a list of hosiptals.